| Start Date | Duration | Cost | Max Participant Numbers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14th October 2026 | 12 Weeks | 320 | 9 |
A collaboration between Cultural & Creative Industry Skillnet and UCC-ACE, this programme is offered to creative professionals at a special CCIS partnership rate of €320 (normally the fee for this course would be €600 in 2026).
Overview
This CPD in Wellbeing Coordination offers an interdisciplinary introduction to wellbeing within the arts and creative sector. Drawing on a holistic, people-centred approach, the programme equips participants with a nuanced understanding of wellbeing in all its complexity — exploring its psychological, social, and professional dimensions as they apply to the sector.
Participants will examine the legal frameworks and practical responsibilities that underpin best practice for both organisations and individual practitioners, gaining the tools to navigate real-world challenges with confidence. Ultimately, the programme seeks to foster a culture of sustained wellbeing and positive mental health across the creative industries.
Aims & Objectives
This course fosters a culture in which everyone has the opportunity to thrive and participate fully in the industry — from its day-to-day operations through to its leadership. It builds the capacity of participants to act as wellbeing leaders within their respective roles, empowering them to create workplaces that are legally compliant, people-centred, and genuinely supportive.
The course:
- Is tailored specifically to the needs of the arts and creative sectors, addressing the unique wellbeing challenges and opportunities these environments present
- Introduces participants to the diverse ways in which wellbeing manifests across the industry, deepening their understanding of its varied strengths, challenges, and conceptual frameworks
- Equips participants with a clear understanding of the legal obligations and practical responsibilities that govern best practice in workplace wellbeing
Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of mental health and wellbeing;
- Define various mental health and stress-related conditions;
- Create a production-specific Information Toolkit which contains all relevant local services and supports that may be accessed;
- Develop simple short practical ideas that can be easily implemented by the Wellbeing Coordinator for the cast/performers and crew (e.g. quiet time in the morning’s; a space for reflection in the evening);
- Explore the policy and legislative context requirements relating to dignity in the workplace and wellbeing specific to the Irish production & arts community
Course Delivery
Classes are delivered through Microsoft Teams and all course materials will be provided on Canvas (UCC’s online learning environment).
This part-time course will be delivered wholly online comprising both live and pre-recorded lectures including:
- 3 hours of lectures per week for 12 weeks – 1.5 hrs pre-recorded, 1.5hrs live lectures;
- Two full day workshops;
- Other moderated online activities, discussion boards and readings.
You must comply with the university attendance policy.
Participant profile/Who can apply/Eligibility
This course is designed specifically for the creative industries by creative professionals, including Screen Ireland. The course is aimed at Company leaders, HOD’s, Managers, Supervisors, Teams, and anyone interested in fostering a culture of wellbeing in the workplace and in the creative sector in general.
Candidates should:
- be at least 21 years of age by 1 January of the year of application and must:
- Be working in the arts and creative sector for at least two-years;
- Hold a QQI level 5 or equivalent qualification.
- Recognition of Prior Learning
Applicants who do not meet the above criteria will be considered for entry based on an interview and successfully demonstrating that they hold an equivalent professional qualification or sufficient practice experience relevant to the course aims and objectives.
Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of equivalent competence in the English Language, through their school leaving examination or matriculation examination or by achieving the minimum standard (there may be higher levels for matriculation and/or particular programmes in individual institutions) in a recognised English language test, as specified here: https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/comparison/english/undergraduate/
For example, candidates must have attained an IELTS minimum overall score of 6.5 and a minimum of 6.5 in each band.
Location
This programme will take place remotely via UCC – Adult Continuing Education
Tutors
Eleanor McSherry is the Programme Coordinator of Autism Studies at UCC ACE. She designed, lectures and coordinates the CPD Cert in Advocacy, the CPD Cert in Neurodiversity in the Screen Industry and Arts & Creative Sectors, and the pilot programme Wellbeing Coordination (developed in conjunction with Screen Ireland). She also lectures/ed for a number of colleges/universities: Limerick Writers Centre, Limerick College of Further Education, Hibernia College Dublin, Mary Immaculate College and Maynooth University. She also is a film/tv consultant on autism and neurodiversity.
Dr. Helena Enright, is an experienced theatre practitioner who has been working in the arts for over twenty years. She has worked as an actress and producer in both theatre and film, and as a teacher and facilitator on many outreach, community, school and university theatre projects in both Ireland and the UK. She is also an award winning playwright and director whose plays include ‘Less Than a Year’ (2006), ‘Walking Away’ (2007), ‘Under Pressure’ (2008), ‘Aquéro’ (2010), ‘The Exeter Blitz Project’ (2012) and ‘The River’ which she wrote and performed as part of Limerick City of Culture. She is also a very experienced in the area of mental health and has many qualifications in the area.
CCIS Membership Support
Who Qualifies:
INDIVIDUALS
- Sole traders or Freelancers who are Resident in the ROI are eligible as Member Companies.
- Private company (SME) or Enterprise employees.
COMPANIES
- Private Enterprise & SMEs based in the Republic of Ireland.
- Commercial semi-state companies providing that income contributed to a Network is not sourced from the public purse (must provide a letter).
- Social enterprises that trade as commercial social enterprises, and are companies registered with the CRO
Who Does Not Qualify:
INDIVIDUALS
- Applicants who are not Resident in the Republic of Ireland
- Applicants who are Unemployed and in receipt of Long Term Unemployment Benefit
- Applicants participating on a CE Scheme
- Applicants in receipt of a BURSARY, SCHOLARSHIP OR GRANT AID toward fees for this course from another government agency or programme.
COMPANIES
- Skillnet Ireland funding is not available to public sector bodies or organisation that are publicly funded such as community-based not-for-profit companies or charities.
- Social enterprises that are solely constituted as charities do not currently meet the eligibility criteria.
All programmes are provided without discrimination. This includes discrimination based on gender, race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation. An inclusive environment that welcomes participants from diverse communities is promoted.
Application steps
Please complete the CCIS Membership application using the green ‘Apply’ button below. Once your CCIS Membership application has been assessed and should you qualify, a member of the team will be in touch with you. Should UCC offer you a place and you accept, a CCIS registration and payment link will be sent to you by CCIS.
Costs/fee
The fee for this course is €320 per person (normally €600)
Payment will be due in full before the course commences and must come from a personal or private business account.
Refunds cannot be issued once the course has commenced.
CCIS membership application deadline
CCIS Membership Application Deadline: Rolling until 1 week prior to course commencement date.
If you experience any difficulties with your CCIS membership application please contact creativeskillnet@furthr.ie with a Subject Heading of UCC | CCIS Application | [Course Name]
Important: All Course Applications To Be Made Separately via UCC.
Dates and times of the course
Commences Tuesday 6th October 2026 and runs until March 2nd 2027
Live, tutor led classes online in addition to self led content.
Two full Saturday workshops, over 12 weeks.